Last minute plans put us in the rain in Carlsbad. Perfect spot for a casual lunch. Clam chowder was great, and the po' boy sandwich was really good! Seeing all the dishes coming out of the kitchen, everything looked great. Next time I'll try other dishes!

We went to Harbor Fish Cafe after spending some time at Carlsbad Beach. My husband and I enjoyed having fish and chips. My daughter had shrimp and fish and her sister just wanted a side of fries.

The fish was crispy on the outside, flakey on the inside. The fries have a great seasoning on them. The service was quick and pleasant. The view of the ocean was lovely.

May favorite is the fish and chips, I like to get the sourdough toast with it(YUMMY) It's also great to to dip into the clam chowder, this time I had to try the fried shrimp which another customer raved about, now it's my turn, when we make this trip again I will make sure someone at our table gets this because I will steal at least one of them, so delicious! As you can tell this is my favorite place it's a must go if you like fish and chips and all that good stuff.. Don't forget a cold Pacifico with your fish and chips..

Amazing fish and fries! Love the funky atmosphere. Recommend.

+1

My favorite before/after beach spot. Perfect location, delicious fish, awesome customer service, great vibe with views of the ocean in 90% of the restaurant, large portions, and affordable. My partner and I typically split the 2 fish and chips and are completely full. Definitely check them out if you’re in the neighborhood :)

Our family favorite and a must everytime we drive through Carlsbad. Food was delicious. You can’t go wrong with the clam chowder and fish and chips.

Amazing view so close to the beach. Currently covid socially-distanced dining, outdoors and every other table. Excellent fish and fries (chips) and very affordable beverages, they have a blonde pilsner house made beer.

+5

Best fish & chip spot in all of North County! The food is always great, and the service is wonderful. You can't beat the unbelievable view. My favorite plate to order is the fish and chips with their house beer which goes great with the food!

Place is nice . Has their own beer🍺. Good variety or seafood. Great view of the ocean. Quick service. Would love to come back.

+2

Love this place. Best known for its epic fish & chips with a view to die for!

Delicious fish and chips, and other seafoods in a beautiful location. The fish fillets are large and well prepared, the tacos are huge, the fries are crispy, the clam chowder is hot and tasty, the service is friendly and efficient, and the setting is beautiful. You could hardly ask for more from a roadside seafood spot.

+6

Excellent place to stop for fish and chips. The staff are always nice and the food comes out hot! The portions are big so choose wisely when ordering.

Had the fish and chips! It was great, the fries were delicious too! It’s rare I drink any beer other than India pale ale but their beach brew (only available on location) was a palette pleaser.

Decided to stop and finally give this place a try. They're currently doing construction on the outer eating area but allowed us to bring our pup on the patio which was really nice of them. We grabbed some clam chowder, which had amazing clam flavor and the sour dough was grilles to perfection. For my main I got the fish po boy which was very hearty and delicious. The fries were excellent and crispy. My son got the kids corn dog meal which he seemed to enjoy. My husband got the one piece fish and chips. He said the one piece was plenty!! We were very satisfied with the service and the food was fresh and amazing. Will definitely be back!!

Amazing!! Wow.... this place is a must visit. First of All staff is friendly and accommodating. So cheers to you!! Thank you for answering the phone on New years eve to let us know that you where open and you would wait for us. They closed at 6 that night but even 20 min before closing they took in people who walked up asking I'd they where open. The place has a view of the ocean on one side - was to cold to sit on that side and dark. But also has a side where the wind won't bother. Best part is the delicious food they serve 😋. I has a grilled fish with a spicy coleslaw and just that made my day. The other was a fried fish taco my son ate. And a fried fish and shrimp plate. All items included fries. Once again thank you to the staff for an amazing last Day of the year dinner. I'm glad we didn't eat at Lego land!

+2

Quick service, awesome view and the best fish Tacos. Huge slice of Crispy fish, slaw was saucy, Cajun spice and Shredded cheddar. Perfect meal in a perfect spot. Wednesday is discount taco and fries.

Family favorite. Best fish tacos in the US. Also fish and chips are a solid choice. We have been going to this restaurant for over a decade. Make sure you get a spot with a ocean view. Finally please try the clam chowder. Some of the best fish tacos in California bro

+6

The food is FRESH.. I got the Wednesday special Fish Taco. REALLY GOOD! And the Vibes are awesome next to the ocean!!

Great spot! We tried the Harbor Fish Combo Plate & their Blonde Pilsner. Had a nice view of the ocean & did not wait very long for our table. Food was delicious!

It's one of my all-time favorite and consistently yummy-licious Clam Chowders I've ever tasted! Make sure to order a side of warm, buttered sourdough slices! The Fish & Chips are not only huge but battered & fried to perfection. The Fish Taco is humongous and just as tasty. I only have pics of my chowder this time, but I will definitely add more photos of the aforementioned food choices very soon!!

Great spot with delicious fish! This place is a fixture for years. Family owned. The fish and chips are yummy. The fish taco was good but not spicy. Flavorful tartar sauce and coleslaw. The people are really nice and my view was the Pacific Ocean. 💗Covered patio dining - two clean bathrooms and best price for water bottles. There’s parking behind restaurant and also a nice walk either up high at street level or down below at sea level to walk off those calories. Definitely would go again! Looks like they are expanding.

+1

This little gem is right next to Carlsbad State Beach and in the heart of Carlsbad Village. We parked a few blocks away & walked around. We found this by accident because we were looking for a low key, family friendly spot for a quick dinner. We were not up for fancy after sitting in traffic. We were impressed by the fast, friendly service and great food. The fried fish in my taco stayed crispy until the very last bite. My husband enjoyed the fish 'n chips. My son thoroughly enjoys Kraft mac 'n Cheese so it was a win win. They offer daily specials and an affordable menu. We'll definitely be back the next time we're in the Carlsbad area.

+5

Staff was extremely friendly, and the food was delicious. Excellent place right next to the beach. The spicy fish taco was amazing, just the right amount of heat to balance everything out. Love that they even have their own beer available to order.

After walking the Carlsbad Village shops we wanted some good fish and we found it right off the beach. 1st Fish and chips I've ever gotten where just 1 piece would have been enough for me and my wife. Fresh breaded not oily fish & chips is the way to go here! Great views of the Ocean! See pics!

Great location, good food, and quick service. This is a great place to go to straight from the beach or even after you clean up. Spicy fish taco is delicious!

+6

Their clam chowder was very enjoyable. Would go again!

Yes! Fun atmosphere, right on the water. Good fish and chowder. And their Harbor Fish Beach Brew was dangerously good.

Placed just next to the ocean & surfing gear rental shop, it brags about the beautiful viewpoint. Fish & chips was amazing, I would definately recommend the menu if there is anyone who drop by the Carlsbad beach. Clam chowder was a bit salty but I believe that it could be well tailored to the surfers' tastes who have lost their water & salt by intensive level of the excercise in ocean.

+2

Wonderful restaurant with great food, excellent staff, and a wonderful outdoor atmosphere! The owner was on the grill today which you normally don't see or hear about, apparently he's always on the grill Monday through Thursday 😁! I appreciate the warm welcome and great attitudes! And thank you for taking time to let me snap a picture of y'all for my review!!!

Harbor Fish Cafe never fails to maintain its status as. one of our local favorites for any occasion. Today’s meal was an anniversary lunch celebration and a walk along the beach. Service is always friendly and they even offer to bring water for your dog if you bring one. Food is delicious and even tastier in this ideal California coastal resort town.

The first restraunt we went to in Carlsbad, and it was very tasty. I had the fish and chips, which were so delicious and reasonably priced. The location is perfect next to the sea and the service was very friendly. Definitely going back!

Generous portions and good food! We came to Harbor Fish Cafe to celebrate my mom's birthday as this is a favorite spot for my mom and stepdad. We worked up an appetite after spending a couple of hours cycling down in Oceanside and wanted some fish and chips to reward ourselves for our exercise. The ambiance is fine. It's a fish and chips joint that is very casual and outdoors. The food is good as far as fried seafood goes and we were pleased with the portion sizes. The weakest part of our experience was the service. We were forgotten multiple times, they brought incorrect orders, we had to flag down servers for common items, and they added food to our check that we did not order. Overall the experience was a mixed bag. We were very pleased with the food but the service was just bad. If you go expect to have to out in extra work to ensure your orders are correct and be sure to verify your check before you pay!

Oh man, we wanted fish and chips and they DID NOT disappoint! Hosts are super nice, staff is friendly and kind. Just the chill beach vibe we were looking for. We got the fried fish taco and one piece fish and chips. Plenty of food for the two of us! Crispy yummy batter on the fish. Service was quick! The house Pilsner paired perfect with it all. Would definitely recommend and come back!

Excellent place to enjoy the beach and some good food.

One of our favorite places and hit it every summer. Awesome beach vibe and people watching is great. Food - the only bad thing I can say about it is it might not be the best for cholesterol 😊. Then again, no one going here is looking for heart healthy. Suggestions for the restaurant - maybe get an IPA or two for washing down the delish food!

+2

I recently went to Harbor Fish Cafe and had the fish & chips, which were delicious. The fish was perfectly crispy and flaky, just what you want. But what really made the experience was the exceptional service. The staff was incredibly friendly and attentive, making me feel so welcome. It’s clear they take pride in what they do. Great food and even better service—I'll definitely be back!

Casual seafood spot right by the beach along with some of the best fish and chips I've ever had! Super kind staff as well, we loved watching the sunset while eating our delicious food.

We stopped by for lunch and had the fish and chips and were so pleased! First of all, this place has such a cozy vibe with ocean views, and incredible kind and quick service! Also, the fish was fried in a delicious batter and the fries were amazing! (Also really good homemade tartar sauce!) Great spot!

Great location to watch the sunset and eat great food. The Fish & Chips are some of the best that I have had. Service is efficient and friendly. Highly recommend!

+5

Looking for some Seafood and a View, then this is the place. The Clam Chowder was great, just the right amount of zip. You have a tough time to find a better place to sit, dine and enjoy some seafood.

My husband & I visited Carlsbad often but never had the chance to stop to eat here. I'm glad we finally did because it was delicious. We shared the fried zucchini and the 2 piece fish & chips. The batter was crispy and not doughy. The fries had an extra crisp texture, which made them even yummier because nobody likes soggy fries. The best part was that at no time did it ever taste greasy. The tartar was yummy, and I asked for extra! The staff was amazing. Super helpful, esp when we mentioned it was our first time. But they also checked in and were friendly. We will definitely be coming back.

So good! What a gem here in the best spot in Carlsbad. Fried seafood is not equal, and this place has the best we’ve had in a long time. I never give 5 stars, but Harbor Fish Café earned them this evening.

Justin Arguilez

Service was great; plenty of smiles and high spirits. The spicy fish tacos and fries are truly good. Their house brew paired with the fried clam strips is great as well. No complaints, even about parking. It's the coast; finding parking is what it is.

Andrea Hard

One of our favorite places to eat. The clam chowder is the best and the fish is crispy. They also have the best French fries. We've been going there for over 20 years.

Vaughnifer R

We cannot visit Carlsbad without having at least one trip to Harbor Fish. We found this gem on our very first trip, and keep coming back. After all these years the portions are still ample. The fish pieces are generous. We could share a 2 piece meal, but why? The proximity to the state beach is perfect for a bite mid day.

Jason Ouellette

This is one of our favorite stops. The clam chowder is good, and they offer to spice it up Carlsbad style. The fish and chips have always been hot and fresh. Pair the excellent grub, a house beer, with the outdoor beach vibes and you've got and unbeatable experience.

Squat Puke

Cool place... The chowder has a slight kick of spicy... Loved it! I got an extra piece of fish. Served SUPER hot so be careful!

BREW

The BEST place for fish and chips in Carlsbad. Ocean view, Offshore Surf shop next door. Fish is amazing. Service is great as well!

oyku eren

I was amazed by their fish and chips. The fish was incredibly fresh, covered in a light and crispy batter, and the homemade sauce made every bite even better. Having it with their own beer was such a great match. Sitting outside with the sea breeze and the ocean view made the experience feel calm and special. The service was warm and quick, and I left already wanting to return. If you enjoy fresh seafood in a relaxed beachside setting, Harbor Fish Cafe is absolutely worth visiting.

Scott Schrein

If you find yourself in Carlsbad and looking for excellent fish tacos then there is no better place than the Harbor Fish Cafe. Not only is the food top notch and very delicious the service is exceptional. Food was delivered hot and fresh and I was treated with professionalism and terrific hospitality. As for the location and atmosphere all I can say is, absolutely spectacular. The Harbor Fish Cafe is absolutely fantastic.

Kat Monteiro

This was a great place for lunch! They offered some good specials and the prices were very good for being next to the ocean. Their fish and chips were amazing and their burgers looked really good. We enjoyed this place. The servers were great. It is all covered open air seating and when you are done you can walk the walkway looking out at the ocean - how can you beat that!

Brook Ekenstam

Went here on a recommendation. The fish and chips were excellent and the clam strips were cooked perfectly. Worth the drive from San Diego.

Matthew Garcia

Local institution for a reason. Fresh seafood for a reasonable price. Could not believe the amount of food in the fish & clam platter for $16.49. Unreal location, friendly folk, quick and delicious. Happy we stopped by. Wasn’t sure as we figured it would be overpriced and touristy but it is the opposite!

+4

Steve

On both our visits to Carlsbad, this was one of our 'must do' restaurants. The setting is great, especially if you arrive just before sunset. The fish tacos were a good size and really tasty. Both the fish and chips and fish salad received good reviews from the rest of the family. Drinks are reasonably priced. Everything is disposable, so be prepared to eat of paper plates with plastic cutlery.

+3

crystal lawrence

🪸Ah! Lovely Carlsbad!🪸 One of my favorite beaches to relax my mind and relate to the magnificence of the ocean waters. I enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Harbor Fish Cafe, and a beautiful view of the ocean! The Harbor Fish Cafe offers quite an appealing selection of foods. My selection of Fish n Chips was fresh, tasteful, excellently seasoned, and very filling! Great service as well! The perfect place to dine, chill, and take in the sites and sounds of the ocean. An amazing day!😊

Jason S

Quick and friendly service providing delicious seafood at an outdoor seaside venue. Note: that afternoon dining after 3pm in the fall months will bathe the side patio in low-angle direct sunlight - bring your sunglasses. Fish tacos are awesome - approximately 12" long and stuffed with tangy slaw of crisp cabbage. Delightful. Parking available in small lot to the rear and on nearby side streets. Can be challenging during busy tourist hours downtown. Totally worth the trip.

Brandon Gibson

The PERFECT spot for a bite, a view and a beer. We lucked out and we're able to walk right in and we're greeted by a friendly face. We ordered a beer and a small clam chowder and it came out almost IMMEDIATELY! The beer was ice cold and the chowder was piping hot! It was really tasty and clean. We each got fish & chips, as that's what they're known for and it did not disappoint! We were checked on quite frequently from everyone there. They all worked together to make sure everyone in the place was being taken care of. After we ate, we popped in next door to the surf shop and got a sticker for our Tiki bar. It was a great spot to stop. Parking can be a challenge, but look to the side street, specifically Pine Street and you have a good chance to luck out and get a spot. Beautiful view and great food & service!

+3

The perfect beachside meal! \n\nWith the recent sunny weather, we spent the day roaming around the coast in Carlsbad. We happened to come across Harbor Fish cafe and were enticed by the crowd and a…

food was generous, prices were more than fair and environment and setting were so nice! Service was efficient and low key

Food was generous, prices were more than fair and environment and setting were so nice! Service was efficient and low key

Food was generous, prices were more than fair and environment and setting were so nice! service was efficient and low key

Food was generous, prices were more than fair and environment and setting were so nice! Service was efficient and low key

I love the Harbor Fish cafe. We take all our guests there. It's thrilling to have the ocean view. The fish fry is delicious. The ambiance is total SoCal beach. I highly recommend.

The best fish n chips I have ever had!!!!!!!\nMy family has made this a must stop every time we are in Carlsbad. Food is fresh n hot and service is friendly and efficient, menu prices are reasonabl…

Fantastic service - so friendly and funny too. Excellent fish tacos and clam chowder. Not an amazing view but you're outside, you're in southern California and the living is good.

Fantastic service - so friendly and funny too. Excellent fish tacos and clam chowder. Not an amazing view but you're outside, you're in southern California and the living is good.

Fantastic service - so friendly and funny too. Excellent fish tacos and clam chowder. Not an amazing view but you're outside, you're in southern California and the living is good.

Fantastic service - so friendly and funny too. Excellent fish tacos and clam chowder. Not an amazing view but you're outside, you're in southern California and the living is good.

Fantastic service - so friendly and funny too. Excellent fish tacos and clam chowder. Not an amazing view but you're outside, you're in southern California and the living is good.

Fantastic service - so friendly and funny too. Excellent fish tacos and clam chowder. Not an amazing view but you're outside, you're in southern California and the living is good.

We’ve been coming to this place since the 90s. We get the fish and chips every single time with a little bit of vinegar. Their clam chatter is outstanding as well. This is a staple if you come to the…

We’ve been coming to this place since the 90s. We get the fish and chips every single time with a little bit of vinegar. Their clam chatter is outstanding as well. This is a staple if you come to t…

Great place to eat some fish n chips. Great view of the ocean, fast friendly service and most of all great food! I always come here when in town.

Stopped by there for lunch a few days ago. outdoor dining, but covered - can be cold & windy if that’s the weather. Fish & chips were quite good, though a bit greasy. Service was very good.

Beautiful views and fantastic food! We went here twice during our trip for fish tacos. Both times we split one giant fish taco and the pile of French fries that came with it. The tacos were absolutely delicious. Was a wonderful environment eating them outside by the ocean and the service was friendly and timely.

Great little beachfront grill. Clam chowder was rich and creamy. Fish and chips was light and flaky. Large portions. Their house ale was tasty. 2 thumbs 👍

Great location. It is located on the ocean side of the street and provides a direct view of the ocean. Food is excellent but confined mostly to fried fish. The service was prompt.

+1

Open air restaurant, some of the seating has ocean view. The food was tasty, but not the best I’ve had. You’re definitely paying for the location. Recommend the clam chowder and fish tacos. The service was pleasant and efficient.

Nice place, you can see the ocean. Parking is a challenge. Staff were polite. It was around 6 pm, so the washrooms were messy, and there were no paper towel to dry your hands. The food was good, typical fish and chips but tasty. The batter on the shrimp was really good.

While this is not particularly healthy food, we enjoyed it as a once in a while option for eating out. Food was tasty with a Corona on the side, service is friendly and sitting by the ocean can't be beat whilst eating.

+1

It was good, not crazy over the top incredible, but definitely good. The restaurant has a great view of the town and some of the grassy yard near the beach down below the cliffs. Good for family's and fun meet ups with friends. The staff was very friendly and several people helped with our one table. I ordered the fish and chips. It was heavy on the deep fried batter and the fish was fresh but small buried deep in the crisp batter. Served hot with fries. Next time I'd get two pieces of fish not one. The do not give refills on drinks so order the large. Prices were not steep and priced accordingly.

First fish and chips I've ever gotten where just 1 piece would have been enough for me 🤣 It was very good! Another server had to bring me some more tartar sauce because mine wasn't suuuuper attentive, and the area even under the canopy was very hot (reasons for the 4 stars instead of 5).

Fish & chips were excellent again. Atmosphere was affected by the cold, rainy weather which is NOT the cafe's fault. Service fantastic. It was nice to be able to substitute fries for clam chowder!

I've beed here before hoping the food would be "World Famous"? The fish and chips were good but not the best I've ever had. They have some beer and drinks for all including children. The service was lackluster. I feel like they were too busy taking care of other tables that looked like they would give a bigger tip. (BTW I tip 50%-100% depending on the service) Location is DEFINITELY 5 ✨!!! Also, they are closed on "Taco Tuesdays" and thats when I get fish tacos so I took photos of the menu for the next time I'm in Carlsbad craving fish and chips or a fish taco. I'll re-rate it on my next visit when I actually have a chance to try the food again. You should definitely try this place and rate it for yourself.

Fish tacos (fried) was dry, fried clams smaller than hoped for. Company, cold beer & sunset same outstanding experience I had in 2019 CA trip.

Classic little fish spot right on the water!!! Delicious and fun. Packed with people so we sat at the bar to avoid a wait. The only detractor is my clam chowder was so hot, it burned my mouth sooooooo bad even after I let it cool. It was unreasonably hot. Everything was fantastic though!! The fried clam strips and clam chowder were my faves. The fried fish was great too!

The food was excellent. They serve Alaska pollock in their fried items and ono/wahoo in the grilled items. Really loved the slightly crispy fries. My only criticisms are 1. that a "Cajun style" poor boy roll should be generally cylindrical, not square like a ciabatta, 2 find a better tortilla for the taco. One that doesn't disintegrate leaving a fish taco salad on the plate.

Melissa Ortiz

4 stars for nostalgia alone. Carlsbad was my neighborhood for 5 years and I ate at Harbor Fish Cafe once a week during that time. That beach is still my favorite. The food is good. I am not going to say it's crazy great (although I feel like it used to be). And the prices have gotten pretty insane in the past 5 years. But I still love getting a cup of clam chowder and the giant fish taco or a 2-piece fish and fries plate when I am in town. And I have to credit Harbor with making me understand that I DO in fact love fries, I was just waiting all my life for someone to actually make them crispy enough. The staff has always been really friendly with me. I still feel at home here.

john m.

Harbor Fish Cafe: A Consistent Carlsbad Classic Harbor Fish Cafe, right on Carlsbad State Beach, once again delivered a fantastic fried seafood lunch during my recent field trip to Carlsbad. It's a spot I consistently return to, and for good reason – their seafood truly hits the spot. I opted for the fried clams and battered fish combo, and everything tasted swell. The fries deserve a special mention; they were perfectly crispy on the outside while remaining tender within, a delightful complement to the main event. My regular iced tea was refreshing, though it's worth noting they don't offer free refills here. Service was efficient and sufficient, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable dining experience. The open-area dining facilities were clean and well-maintained, as was the restroom. If you're a seafood lover like me and find yourself in Carlsbad, Harbor Fish Cafe is a dependable choice for a delicious and satisfying meal with a great location.

Nathan

I was told this place was the best place to go to for fish. They claim of fame is the fish and chips, which I had. I’ll be honest with you, it wasn’t anything amazing. It kind of lacked flavor. That being said, it was perfectly cooked, crispy, golden, brown, Fish was delicate. The way it was prepared was done very well. It just didn’t have much flavor. Then again, most fish and chips don’t have a ton of flavor. I would definitely be back to try other food. Their clam chowder was very good and they have a great view as well.

Christopher Hazlett

I was doing my first bikepacking trip this last week and stopped by here for lunch. I didn't realize it was a sit-down restaurant. It's pretty much an outdoor patio area. So I just got it to go and sat at a nearby bench. I got the 2 fish and chips (fries) combo. The fish were decent size and pretty good. The service was super quick, too. I gave the atmosphere 3 only cause I didn't know it was a sit-down restaurant.

Ramin Kt

Very nicely done Fish and chips. Also the Jumbo Shrimp was excellent. Salad was good and Combo Plate was well enough. In general if you like seafood it’s the place you should give it a try. Kristin was our hostess and she was amazing.

4 stars for nostalgia alone. Carlsbad was my neighborhood for 5 years and I ate at Harbor Fish cafe once a week during that time. That beach is still my favorite.\n\nThe food is good. I am not goin…

We were staying in Carlsbad and walked to this seafood spot recommended to us by our friends. It is outdoor seating only but with a covered awning so you're shaded. The feel is 100% beach seafood…

I came here with my lady tonight and ordered fish and chips that tasted alright. The customer service was OK, I'd say the biggest issue was the workers eyeing me down the whole time... definitely m…

I came here with my lady tonight and ordered fish and chips that tasted alright. The customer service was OK, I'd say the biggest issue was the workers eyeing me down the whole time... definitely m…

My friend and l ate here while in Carlsbad, Ca. Right on Hwy 101. Nice outdoor seating and very close to the ocean. Friendly staff and good fish and chips we both had. A little pricey at about $22.00…

My friend and l ate here while in Carlsbad, Ca. Right on Hwy 101. Nice outdoor seating and very close to the ocean. Friendly staff and good fish and chips we both had. A little pricey at about $22.…

My friend and l ate here while in Carlsbad, Ca. Right on Hwy 101. Nice outdoor seating and very close to the ocean. Friendly staff and good fish and chips we both had. A little pricey at about $22.…

My friend and l ate here while in Carlsbad, Ca. Right on Hwy 101. Nice outdoor seating and very close to the ocean. Friendly staff and good fish and chips we both had. A little pricey at about $22.…

Great oceanfront location. Small, not fancy, just great fish and shrimp. HUGE fish taco. I enjoyed the grilled fish taco but could not finish. Great white sauce, onions and cabbage accompaniments…

Great oceanfront location. Small, not fancy, just great fish and shrimp. HUGE fish taco. I enjoyed the grilled fish taco but could not finish. Great white sauce, onions and cabbage accompanim…

Had the clam chowder and fish n chips, staff was very nice and attentive , I only ordered 1 fish w the chips and it was enough (pretty large) . The clam chowder was not worth it I got the small i…

What could be wrong with an outdoor restaurant with a view of the Pacific that serves fresh seafood...NOTHING. Oh, and the food is excellent also. From the grilled fish salad, to the popular fish…

Food is okay for the price although it is really not that special however it's cheap and fast. The spicy fish taco I ordered was not very flavorful and the cheese was a shredded cheddar that was still cold. The service was good 👍 and the view of the ocean is nice

Go for the ambiance but maybe eat somewhere else. Food should have been better. We were very excited to see clams strips on the menu, but they tasted pretty bland and were pretty disappointing. The house beer was fun to try, but was just ok. Fish and chips were pretty good but I wanted to be impressed, which I sadly wasn't.

Ambiance was good. Not so much the food. Had fish taco. 2 large pieces of dried out fish, no sauce came with it. Very bland. Hubby had fish & chips, were dried out & Over cooked.

+2

The employees skipped over us when trying to get a table because we're a family of 6, but the service at the table was good one we were finally seated. The fish was actually pretty dry and overcooked, but the portions were huge. All in all, I wouldn't go again. We spent a lot of money ordering a little bit of everything, but most of us didn't like it that much. Our 4 kids gobble down seafood, but they didn't want to bring anything home.

First off, I think the location is really great. Near the ocean. Food is good, but the drink situation isn’t amazing. A small soda is overpriced and you don’t get any refills. It was alright. 🐟

Cool little spot and the food was solid but nothing amazing. I had clam strips with clam chowder and my girlfriebd had the very large fish taco with a salad. The salad was probably the weakest part of the whole experience. House beer was great as well . Overall a good experience

Good location but that is about it. The fish is passable but greasy. Oil tasted a bit old and needed to be changed. The worst part is when I went to use the restroom there was a dead rat on the sidewalk. I know that if your near the beach there just are rats, however it ruined the rest of my lunch.

I haven't been to Harbor Fish Cafe in over 5 years. My memories of this seaside place, are great. I recall groups of us waiting what seemed like an eternity to get in for lunch. Today was a great day to try it out since there was no line due to the cooler, cloudy weather. I didn't know when I would be back this way so I was going to treat myself. After my long walk along the beach, I thought it would be a good time for lunch. The weather looked like it could rain and so I think it kept most of the locals and some visitors away. I ordered the clam chowder (small portion) the Fish & Chips with 2 pieces of fish and a Pacifica beer. Couldn't go wrong. The clam chowder arrived quickly along with the beer. I added some crackers to the soup and tasted away. The soup had a distinct spicy flavor to it. Possibly black pepper maybe more than was needed. The flavor was good but not as creamy as I remember in past years. This is a beach shack so not looking for fine china and silverware. When the fish and chips arrived I was anxious to dive in. The fries where a perfect crunch. Spicy and just the right amount of salt. I added a splash of malt vinegar and that was the icing on the cake. The fish was another story. They looked perfectly cooked. I sliced a piece and noticed that the basket was incredibly oily. As I cut and took a bite the outer crust fell off in a few places and as you can see from the photos it was undercooked batter. Possibly because there was too much batter or the oil was too hot and there wasn't enough time to cook through to the inside. Not sure. I decided to break the fried batter away and eat the fish which was good. The service was great and atmosphere is just that. You're at the beach. I was disappointed with the fish. I was really looking forward to enjoying this dish. Perhaps on my next visit it will be different. I would recommend this place knowing that this may happen.

+3

We had dinner on a Saturday night. Since we haven't eaten there before we ordered a few things: clam chowder, clam strips, the Harbor fish combo plate and a Po' Boy. The good: the view, the wait and the clam chowder. However, believe the wait staff when they tell you it is hot, because it stayed hot throughout the meal. The chowder was served with round breaded crackerlike things (dont recall the name of them). The portions were good for the price and the chowder was absolutely wonderful. However, the clam strips seemed to be more breading than clam. The fish, both on the combo plate and the po'boy were missing seasoning and were hard to taste beyond the breading which was good. The fries tasted much like the batter. The shrimp that were on the platter were good but the tartar sauce was overwhelming. Some of the wait staff were really friendly but our main server didn't seem like he wanted to be there. We got what we needed when we needed it from the other wait staff who were great but our main person seemed like he was having an off day. I would definitely return for the clam chowder and only the clam chowder.

We took our son and three grandchildren to lunch, they are local, we are from out of town. The meal was very good, however no one came to check on our food or if we needed anything. I wanted a drin…

Good customer service! Wasn't too busy. I got seated right away. My only comment was the batter on our fish had no seasoning. I tried to dip it in sauce, but it was still very bland.

Fish n chips was pretty decent, we enjoyed the fresh taste. I like the flavor and the sauce though some folks said it's not flavourful enough. The portion for the small clam chowder's is smaller th…

Fish n chips was pretty decent, we enjoyed the fresh taste. I like the flavor and the sauce though some folks said it's not flavourful enough. The portion for the small clam chowder's is smaller th…

We got a table with an ocean view, so that was nice. ambiance is very casual. Quality of fish used was not good, you can tell by the taste it's poor quality and not cleaned properly. Clam chowder h…

Had a late lunch here after visiting the Farmer's Market. Easy walk from that area. Had the fish tacos. Huge piece of fish. It was tough though, not as flaky as I had hoped. I think it was fr…

The fish is mostly batter. I don't understand the positive reviews. The breaded shrimp is mostly breading and so are the clam stripes. The actual amount of fish served is very minimal. They make everything look large because only so much batter and breading. They basically are serving tons of carbs and calories with a little fish.

Here is a 1–2 sentence review you could write: I tried to visit Harbor Fish Cafe in Carlsbad, but unfortunately couldn’t find parking and never made it to the restaurant. Hoping to try it another time because I’ve heard great things about it.

Bad clam chowder gave me food poisoning and they gave it to me extremely hot that I've burned my tongue. I'll let one other servers know after paying and they just said oh.

Bad clam chowder gave me food poisoning and they gave it to me extremely hot that I've burned my tongue. I'll let one other servers know after paying and they just said oh.

Bad clam chowder gave me food poisoning and they gave it to me extremely hot that I've burned my tongue. I'll let one other servers know after paying and they just said oh.

Get the fish and chips. Not bad, and right on the water. \n\nDefinitely skip the $18 fish taco (singular) unless you are visiting from the Midwest (seems to me like that's exactly how they'd do fis…

Sat Evening, 08.30.25, I and two other adults ate at\nthe Harbor Fish cafe. We did not have a dog w/ us.\nWe sat in the north section, by the street.\nThere were 2 big dogs at the next table. They …

The outside seating is nice. Customer service is so so but the food is just plain cheap quality. The location is cute and deserves lots more than their food quality. Saturday and the place is dead,…

The location is great however food very greasy. The food I ordered was not as I expected due to the staff giving a poor description of the meal. I was given Jumbo shrimp with tails which I don’t li…

The location is great however food very greasy. The food I ordered was not as I expected due to the staff giving a poor description of the meal. I was given jumbo shrimp with tails which I don’t …

I was seated at a table with a view of the ocean. However, the wait staff insisted that my mobility scooter had to be moved outside. Their rationale was due to a local fire department code. This is…

I wanted to like this place! They have either grilled or fried fish tacos, but I preferred a sandwich instead. They have a fish sandwich on the menu. When I asked if I could have it with grilled fish, they said no. I could not believe it because you could get grilled fish with the fish tacos. I asked for a manager who told me the same thing. If you can offer an If you can offer a grilled fish option for your fish tacos, you can certainly do the same for your fish sandwich! Unbelievable!

Worst fish and chips ever. I've eaten here many times. Today the two pieces of fish were actually nothing but batter drenched in oil. Tiny flakes if fish that I had to peel off the batter amounted to maybe 3 oily bites. The manager said it looked terrible and the paper drenched in oil. Said he would show the cook. It was inedible but the owners would not compensate. Waitress never came back to refill water. I told him the review would not be positive. Although I believe he felt bad. I will not give them my business in the future. This is just greasy batter and the few bites of fish.

HAIR IN MY FOOD & GREASE GALORE DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCIMSTANCES go to this repugnant place. It is hard to fathom how this place slipped in between the cracks. All the other spots there are fine. The only thing good here are the views. Ok well back to the terrible food. TOO GREASY WAY TOO GREASY!!! The fish had no seasoning if it did it had no noticeable pallet attraction. Maybe it was the grease overpowering the flavor of everything else. The fish where literally pouring hot oil from them. The tartar Sauce didn't taste like tartar sauce. They offer you food from a can and not food made in house. Huge Disappointment!!!!!! To make it all worse they charge you an arm and a leg for the poor quality food and service.